DIY Dog Toys: Fun, Affordable, and Tail-Wagging Good!

Find here some of the easiest DIY dog toys that you can make in no time, share with your pet, and keep it entertained for hours. Our 2025 guide has homemade toy suggestions you can make on the cheap from stuff you’ve got at home, easy-to-follow instructions, and safety advice. You can make your own fun and inexpensive dog toys.

Now, when did you last buy toys for your dogs? (If you haven’t in ages, their toys are probably long gone!) Yep – you’re not alone! You, like many other dog owners, probably spend more than $100 on toys (depending on how active your dogs are) and you’ve probably bought them 20 or more toys! I’ve been there!

My Dog has an insatiable desire to rip through store-bought toys, and buy new ones (for me) to replace them…until I was introduced to the wonderful world of DIY dog toys!

Handcrafting dog toys isn’t just pocket-friendly (saving pet parents an average of 70% drop from store-bought toys), it’s also a gratifying and sustainable means of repurposing household items into new favorites for your pet. From tennis balls stuck in old t-shirts to delicious treat-dispensing, plastic-bottle entertaining objects, homemade dog toys can keep their mind and body busy just as well as store-bought toys.

They are not only budget-friendly, but you can also modify toys to match your dog’s size, play preferences, and style. And the bonus: Crafting up toys for your pup can be a super fun and rewarding activity for you, too!

I promise there’s a DIY dog toy project that’s perfect for you and your pup!

Recommended For You: Eco-Friendly Pet Accessories: Healthy Pets, Healthy Planet

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Why DIY Dog Toys Are Pawsome

1. Budget-Friendly: If your dog is a super chewer, you will be spending a lot at the store. Many DIY toys use items you will have to save money.
2. Personalizable: You can make many options for whatever your dog likes to play with. Does your pup love squeaky toys? Add a squeaker! Do they like tug-of-war? Make a regular, durable rope toy.
3. Environmentally-Friendly: By reusing old clothes, blankets, towels, or other household items, you can reuse items and they won’t end up in the trash, you are giving these items a second life.
4. Building a special connection: Making toys for your dog is another way to show them love and care. It will be fun and a great time to do it!

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Safety First: Tips for Homemade Dog Toys

Before you get started with the projects, you will want to be safety conscious. Here are some tips to help keep your DIY dog toys safe and fun:

• Avoid parts that can be swallowed: Avoid small objects that can be swallowed, as they can lead to choking for the dog
• Use non-toxic material: Only use materials that are safe for dogs to chew on – nothing with chemicals, sharp ends, or toxicity.
• Supervise playtime: Always supervise your dog when playing with DIY toys; especially heavy chewers.
• Regularly inspect your toys: Regularly check for wear and tear, and replace damaged toys.

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5 Easy Homemade Dog Toys You Can Make Today

Are you ready to get started? Here are five easy and fun DIY dog toys that your dog will love:

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1. The T-Shirt Braid Toy

Materials:

• Old cotton T-shirts
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Cut the t-shirts into 1-inch wide strips. You will need at least three strips per toy.
2. Take three strips and tie a knot at one end.
3. Braid the strips tightly, just like you would braid hair.
4. Tie a knot at the end of the braid to secure it.
5. Allow your dog to have fun with their new tug toy!

Why Dogs Love It: This toy is great for chewing and for tug-of-war. Braids are fun for tugging and strong enough for chewing.

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2. The Sock Ball

Materials:

• Socks (clean, whole, no holes)
• A tennis ball or squeaky toy
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Put the tennis ball or squeaky toy inside the toe of a sock.
2. Tie a knot above the ball to “seal” it in
3. You can do this with multiple socks to add durability!
4. Let your dog chase and chew and play with a sock ball!

Why Dogs Love It: The sock ball is the best of both worlds as it is a soft toy and a ball. It is steller for fetching and chewing!

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3. The Treat Dispenser Bottle

Supplies:

• Empty plastic water bottle (rinsed out and label removed)
• Dog treats or kibble
• Scissors or a knife (to poke holes)

Instructions:

1. Remove the cap from a plastic bottle, and now carefully wash the bottle.
2. Consider how many treats you will put in the bottle and cut holes a little larger than that.
3. Throw the treats in, and close the bottle with the cap.
4. The game can begin; watch how eager your dog will be to get the treats.

Why Dogs Love It: Keeping our pets entertained with puzzle games and mental stimulation has numerous advantages, good for them mentally, and is especially great when you are busy at home.

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4. The Fleece Tug Toy

Materials:

• Fleece fabric (old blankets or clothing work well)
• Scissors

Here is how to make it:

1. Cut your fleece into long strips approximately 1–2 inches wide by 12–18 inches long
2. Take your strips (3 or 4), and tie a knot at the end to hold them all together
3. Tightly braid the strips and finish with another knot at the end.
4. If you want, you can braid multiple braids into a thicker rope for extra durability.

Why Dogs Love It: Fleece is soft on their mouths, hard enough to tug and chew, and is great for interactive play and bonding time.

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5. The Cardboard Puzzle Toy

You Will Need:

• Empty cardboard box (shoe box or small shipping box works well)
• Dog treats or kibble
• Scissors or box cutter

Instructions:

1. Cut small holes in the box – barely big enough for treats to fall out.
2. Fill the box with treats or kibble.
3. Close the box and let your pup figure out how to get the treats out by nudging, rolling, or pawing at the box.

Why Dogs Love It: This toy is great for interacting with your dog and challenges their problem-solving skills for hours of entertainment.

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Bonus Tips for Homemade Dog Toy Success

• Rotate Toys: Don’t forget to change their toys out every few days to prevent boredom and make old toys feel new again.
• Incorporate Your Dog: Allow your dog to “help” you make the toys by providing a piece of fabric to chew on or some type of ball to keep them occupied while you put the toys together.
• Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try different materials and designs that your dog may enjoy.

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Conclusion

Homemade dog toys are a great way to save money, turn garbage into goodies, and provide your furry friend with hours of entertainment. It doesn’t matter if you are creating a basic t-shirt braided toy, or making a challenging treat dispenser. Your dog will appreciate what you made out of love. You can also enjoy the experience yourself!

So grab some used clothes, and a pair of scissors, and create your do-it-yourself dog toys today. Your dog will thank you with tail wags. Have fun making it!